Bag filling machine



Jan. 31, 1956. E. M. LAU

BAG FILLING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 5, 1953 Jan. 31, 1956 E.M. LAU

BAG FILLING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 5, 1953 I l I l Jan. 31,1956 L 2,733,040

BAG FILLING MACHINE Filed Feb. 5, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 6 Sheets-Sheet 5u 2 WM o/ yjw w i 1.1K? 9 5% g r 27 E. M. LAU

BAG FILLING MACHINE mm s Jan. 31, 1956 Filed Feb. 5, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet6 E. M. LAU

Jan. 31, 1956 BAG FILLING MACHINE Filed Feb. 5, 1953 United StatesPatent BAG FILLING MACHINE Erwin M. Lau, Dolton, Ill., assignor to BlackProducts Co., Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Illinois ApplicationFebruary 5, 1953, Serial No. 335,221

15 Claims. (Cl. 249-58) This invention relates to bag filling machinesof the automatic cut off type.

In machines of this type, it has been proposed to suspend the bag fromthe filling spout, and the filling spout is designed to form a part of aweighing beam. When a predetermined amount of material has been fed intothe bag, the movement of the beam cuts off the filling operation.

When this type of mechanism is used with an auger fed type of machine,in which the auger is journaled in fixed centers, it is necessary toprovide a clearance between the auger and the filling spout in order toaccommodate the control movement of the spout. This arrangement is veryunsatisfactory when used in connection with powdered material for thereason that the powdered material, due to its tendency to back up intothe tube, and for other reasons, will become packed against the innersurface of the filling spout. This packed powdered material thus impedesthe free movement of the filling spout with respect to the auger andresults in inaccurate weighing.

Furthermore, this arrangement has additional disadvantages, even whenapplied to machines which do not embody an auger feed, for the reasonthat the location of the bag on the filling spout, as well as variationsin the distribution of the material within the bag, will tend to varythe length of the lever arm of the cut off mechanism, thus affecting theweighing operation.

Also, as the bag becomes filled, the material itself exerts a backpressure in the direction of the spout axis which impedes the freeaction of the weighing beam.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bag fillingmachine in which the bag may be suspended from the filling spout, andwhich overcomes the abovementioned disadvantages of the prior art.

In this connection, I provide a double spout, the inner spout beingfixedly mounted with respect to the hopper, or the auger, and the outerspout being mounted for relative movement with respect to the innerspout. The bag is hung on the outer spout; thus, the movement of thesame will not be affected by conditions within the spout. Moreparticularly, according to the present invention, a flexible seal isprovided between the two spouts which prevents material from hackinginto the space between the two; hence, free movement of the outer spoutwill not be impeded. This arrangement permits the use of minimumoperating clearance between the auger and the inner spout, with theresult that packing is eliminated.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a spout assemblywhich is mounted for movement only in one direction, a substantiallyvertical direction, to the end that the force that actuates the cut offmechanism is applied in one direction only, thus eliminating the elfectof any back pressure.

Still another object is to provide a spout assembly which is mounted insuch a way as to eliminate what may be termed as the lever arm effect,to the end that 2,733,040 Patented Jan. 31, 1956 variations in theposition of the bag on the spout will not affect the accuracy of theweighing operation. In this connection, the spout assembly includes afloating frame, and the invention provides a novel arrangement forsupporting the floating frame for substantially frictionless movement ina vertical direction.

Still a further object is to provide, in an auger type machine of thetype indicated, improved means for mounting and driving the auger, andwhich permits the same to be easily removed and replaced.

Qther objects, features, and advantages will become apparent as thedescription proceeds.

With reference now to the drawings in which like reference numeralsdesignate like parts:

Fig. l is a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is a plan view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a detailed horizontal section taken along line 44 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section through the machine taken along line 55 ofFig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the lling spout,showing the seal;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a detailed vertical section taken along line -8 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a vertical transverse section taken along line 99 of Fig. 5,showing the relationship of the floating frame to the adjacent parts;

Fig. 10 is a vertical section taken along line 1010 of Fig. 9 showingthe diamond point supporting means for the floating frame;

Fig. ll is a perspective view of the floating frame itself;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the weighing beam, taken along line 12-12 ofFig. 5, and showing the weight regulating device;

Fig. 13 is a vertical transverse section taken along line 13-13 of Fig.5;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged elevational view showing the weight regulatingdevice in greater detail,

Fig. 15 is a vertical transverse section taken along line 15-15 of Fig.5 showing the fulcrum for the beam in greater detail, and

Fig. 16 is a diagram showing the forces acting on the floating assembly.

With reference now to Figs. 1 to 3, and 5, which show the generalorganization of the machine, the reference numeral 20 designatesgenerally a suitable framework which supports a hopper 21 having a neckportion 22. A spout 23 projects forwardly from the neck portion, and anauger 24 is disposed within the spout for feeding either granular orpowdered material from the hopper 21, through the spout, and into thebag which surrounds the spout. The auger is provided with a shankportion 25, which extends rearwardly through a bearing 26 located in theback wall of the neck portion 22. A motor 27 is suitably mounted in thelower part of the frame for driving the auger.

The spout 23 comprises two separate members, an internal spout 29, whichis fixedly mounted, and an external spout 30 which is carried on afloating frame 31, shown in Fig. 11. The elements 30 and 31 thuscomprise an external spout assembly. The bag is hung on the externalspout 30. The external spout and the floating frame react on a beamassembly 32 which is shown in Fig. 12, the beam assembly being supportedon a fulcrum 33 as shown in Figs. 5 and 15. i

The floating frame is supported, or partially supported by two brackets34 which are mounted on and project forwardly from the front plate 35 ofthe neck portion 22, as shown in Fig. 4. A pair of vertically disposedspaced rails 36 are secured to each bracket 34. The floating frame 31 isgenerally H-shaped, and comprises a pair of vertically disposed rails 37together with a transverse apertured web 38, the external spout 30 beingmounted on the web. Each of the rails 36 and 37 is provided withoppositely disposed V-shaped notches 39, as shown in Figs. and 11. Eachrail 37 is thus disposed between a pair of rails 36, and is maintainedin spaced relationship therewith by spacer points 40. The arrangementwith respect to one pair of spacer points is shown in Fig. 10; this samearrangement obtains at each of the four corners of the floating frame 31to the end that the frame is confined between the four rails 36 againstforward and back movement, and also against transverse movement. Thespacer points permit movement only in the vertical direction.

These spacer points are elongate elements having a diamond-shaped crosssection, and preferably are formed of hardened steel. Thus, each spacerpoint provides two point edges which are received in the oppositelydisposed notches 39. The angle of the point edges is somewhat less thanthe angle between the walls of the notches, thereby permitting verticalmotion of a limited extent. For instance, in the present arrangement,the angle of the point edges is approxmaitely 60, whereas the notchangle is approximately 90, thus permitting rotation of the spacer pointsthrough on either side of centered position shown in Fig. 10. Thelimited extent of this vertical movement does not result in anyappreciable shortening of the horizontal distance between the pointedges of a given spacer point with the result that the lateral play ofthe floating frame is inconsequential. In other words, all lateralcomponents are taken up by the spacer points, and the only forcetransmitted by the floating frame'to the beam assembly 32 is a verticalforce, the lever arm of which is constant.

Furthermore, the point edges act as knife edges to provide substantiallyfrictionless movement.

Suitably secured to the inner surfaces of the rails 37 are blocks 41,which are also formed with notches 42. These notches may be similar inshape and dimension to notches 39, as shown in Fig. 5. The upper surfaceof the beam assembly 32 is provided with two pads 43 which are alsonotched. Spacer points 44 are disposed within the notched portions ofthe blocks 41 and the pads 43 to provide a substantially frictionlessbearing means for transmitting the vertical force from the floatingframe to the beam.

Thus, when the bag 45, as shown in Fig. l, is suspended from theexternal spout 30, the only force that is transmitted to the beam is avertical force which is applied by the spacer points 44.

The beam assembly comprises a rectangular frame 46, shown in Fig. 12,which, in addition to the pads 43, is also provided with notched pads 47which engage the fulcrum 33. A screw 43 is iournaled in the front andrear transverse members of the frame 46, and is provided with a crank 49at its upper end.

The operation of the automatic cut off is regulated by means of shiftinga weight 50 along the length of the beam assembly. The weight issuspended from the screw 48 by means of a rod 51 which terminates in ahook 52, the diameter of the rod stock from which the hook is made beingsubstantially equal to the thread contour as shown in Fig. 14. Thus, byturning the crank 49, the beam may be set for balancing any desiredweight of material in the bag 45.

Stop means are provided to limit the throw of the beam, as shown inFigs. 5 and 13. The frame work includes a transverse member 53 fromwhich a second transverse member 54 is suspended by means of pillars orshoulder bolts 55. Two pairs of set screws 56 are threaded through themembers 53 and 54, each pairproviding an upper and lower stop for one ofthe longitudinal members of the frame 46. Thus, the total verticaldisplacement of the floating frame 31 may be limited to the end thatdamage to the spacer points 40 and the notches 39 may be avoided.

As shown in Figs. 5 and 13, a bearing 60 is mounted on transverse member53. A sleeve 61 is rotatably journaled in bearing 69, and at its frontend, in bearing 26. Rearwardly of bearing 60, a pulley 62 is mounted onthe sleeve so that the sleeve may be driven from motor 27 by means ofone or more belts 63. A brake drum 64 is also carried by the sleeve 61.The shank portion 25 of the auger 24 extends into sleeve 61, and isprovided with a suitable slabbed portion which is engaged by set screws65. Thus, an arrangement is provided in which the auger can readily beremoved from the machine without disturbing the relationship of thedriving elements, and the bearings therefor.

The bearing 26 is provided with a suitable seal 66 to prevent entry ofthe powder or other material delivered into the bearing. The desiredconcentricity of the auger with respect to the sleeve may be obtained byproviding a very close fit between these parts. Furthermore, thesubstantial length of the shank portion 25 contributes to the stabilityof this cantilevered auger mounting.

Suitable braking mechanism, generally indicated by reference numeral 67,may be provided for instantaneous cutoff of the feed. This mechanism mayinclude brake shoes 68 which engage the brake drum 64-, as shown inFigs. 3 and 13, together with suitable electromagnetic means 69 foractuating the same.

As shown in Figs. 5 and 9, a suitable switch 70, such as a microswitch,may be disposed immediately below the front end of the beam assembly 32.For instance, the switch may be mounted on one of the brackets 34 bymeans of a suitable L-shaped support 71. Thus, when the amount ofmaterial in the bag 45 reaches the limit as determined by the setting ofthe weight 50, downward movement of the beam assembly 32 will depressthe plunger of switch 70, to open the motor circuit, and to actuate thebraking mechanism 67, thereby causing instantaneous cut off of the feed.

The fulcrum 33 is in the form of a transverse bar 72 which, as shown inFigs. 9 and 13, is suitably bolted to the lower portions of brackets 34.The bar is cut away at either end to provide aiigned knife edges whichform the fulcrum 33. As indicated above, the fulcrum engages the beamassembly at the notched pads 47. i

The bag is supported solely by the external spout 30 and the floatingframe 31; thus, no vertical force is imposed upon the internal spout 2.9which is rigidly mounted with respect to the front plate 35 of the neckportion of the hopper. A seal 75 is provided to seal. the space betweenthe internal and external spouts to prevent the entry therein ofmaterial being fed. The seal 75 is in the form of a short length ofrubber tubing which is folded back upon itself in the manner shown inFig. 6. In order that one end of the tubing which forms the seal may besuitably secured to the external spout, the latter is constructed in theform of a composite member comprising an inner tube 76, and an outertube 78. The inner tube extends into the aperture 77 formed in the web38. Both the inner and outer tubes are provided with flanges, so thatthey may be secured to the web portion 38 by means of screws 79.

The outer surface of the inner tube 76 is recessed as at 80 to receiveone end of the short length of tubing which forms the seal. Thus, thisend of the seal may be clamped between the inner and outer tubes 76 and78. The other end of the tube may be clamped to the internal spout 29 bymeans of a clamping ring 81. Thus an extremely flexible seal is providedwhich will not materially affect the action of the balanced beam.

By forming the external spout from two concentric members, it will beseen that assembly is facilitated. For

instance, the tube is first clamped to the internal spout and thendoubled back upon itself and then laid in the recess 80 to which it maybe temporarily secured by a small amount of rubber cement. This is doneafter the floating frame has been positioned between the rails 36. Thenthe outer tube 78 is slid over the inner tube to cause the end of theseal to be securely gripped, and the outer tube is secured in its finalposition by means of screws 79.

The operation of the bag weighing machine has been pointed out in detailin connection with the description of its various parts andsub-assernblies. To summarize the operation, let it be assumed that itis desired to fill a bag with one hundred pounds of a powdered material.First the crank 49 is turned to bring the weight 59 into its one hundredpound position. The latter position can be indicated by suitablecalibrations formed in the thread of the screw 48, or a suitableposition can be found by hanging an empty bag and a one hundred poundweight on the external spout, and then turning the screw 48 until thebeam assembly is balanced.

- It is assumed that the hopper has been filled with the proper quantityof material. An empty bag is then placed on the spout 23, the entireweight of the bag being carried by the external spout 39. Then the motor27 is turned on by a suitable switch. At this time, the front end of thebeam, the floating frame and the external spout are in an up position,the exact position of the parts being determined by the positions of thelower set screws 56 of each pair. Operation of the motor drives theauger 24 to feed the material outwardly and downwardly into the bag 45.As soon as the weight of the material in the bag reaches one hundredpounds, the external spout 30 which heretofore has been maintained inits up position by the weight i will move downwardly, thereby actuatingthe switch 7% to shut off the 'motor and energize the braking mechanism67. Thus,

the feed is instantaneously cut off. The bag 45 can then be removed andan empty bag substituted and the operation repeated.

If it is desired to exchange or replace the auger, this can readily bedone by loosening the set screws 65, and removing the auger in a forwarddirection. The rear end of the sleeve 61 is open so that the auger maybe driven out, if necessary.

The seal 75 prevents entry of any material into the space between theinternal and external spouts, and this particular type of seal has beenfound to be sufliciently flexible as to not affect the sensitivity oraccuracy of the weighing mechanism. The set screws 56 permit the beam tobe adjusted so that there will always be a clearance between theexternal and internal spouts, thereby permitting unimpeded movement ofthe external spout.

The operation of the floating frame is illustrated in the force diagramof Fig. 16. The weight of the bag 45 is represented by vector 84, andthe upward force exerted by the beam assembly 32 is represented byvector 85. Since these forces are parallel and offset from each other,they form a couple which exerts a torque on the floating frame.

The vectors S2 and 83 represent the reactive force exerted on thefloating frame by the spacer points 40 at the upper front surface of theframe, and by the spacer points 40 at the lower rear surface of theframe. The remaining spacer points exert no reactive force but merelyassist in maintaining the frame in position. Thus, the vectors 82 and 83represent what could be termed a reactive couple which counteracts thetorque exerted by the force couple 8485.

The effect is the same as if the entire weight of the bag and contentswere applied to the balance beam at the point represented by the notchesin pad 43. This eliminates the lever arm effect of the location of thebag on the spout.

Thus, the floating frame construction, together with the spacer points,provides a frictionless and an exceedingly sensitive action which is notaffected by the position of the bag on the spout.

The terms floating frame or floating assembly as used herein, designatea force transmitting member which is mounted in such a manner that it isfree for movement in one direction, such as the vertical direction, butwhich is supported in such a manner that a reactive couple is exertedthereon which balances the torque produced by the vertical forces actingthereon to the end that the only force transmitted thereby is the forcewhich acts in the direction of freedom of movement.

Although only a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed herein, it will be understood that various modifications andchanges may be made in the construction shown without departing from thespirit of the invention as pointed out in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a bag filling machine having a hopper, an anger for removingmaterial from the hopper, drive means for said auger, and control meansfor said drive means, the combination of horizontally extending spoutmeans including an internal spout and an external spout assembly, saidinternal spout being mounted on said hopper and communicating therewith,and said auger extending horizontally from said hopper into saidinternal spout, said external spout assembly comprising an externalspout disposed substantially concentrically with said internal spout andsurrounding the same in radially spaced relationship, and a floatingframe on which said external spout is mounted, means for supporting saidfloating frame for movement in. a substantially vertical directionwhereby said external spout will move relatively to said internal spoutin a radial direction, sealing means closing off the annular spacebetween said internal spout and said external spout, and means forexerting a substantially constant upwardly vertical force on said frame,said control means being actuated by the movement of said floating framewhereby the increasing weight of a bag and contents suspended from saidexternal spout will cause movement of said external spout assembly torender said drive means inoperative.

2. In a bag filling machine having a hopper, an auger for removingmaterial from the hopper, drive means for said auger, and control meansfor said drive means, the combination of horizontally extending spoutmeans including an internal spout and an external spout assembly, saidinternal spout being mounted on said hopper and communicating therewith,and said auger being rigidly mounted and extending from said hopper intosaid internal spout, said external spout assembly comprising an externalspout disposed substantially concentrically with said internal spout andsurrounding the same in radially spaced relationship, and a floatingframe on which said external spout is mounted, means for supporting saidfloating frame for movement in a substantially vertical directionwhereby said external spout will move relatively to said internal spoutin a radial direction, and a flexible seal closing off the annular spacebetween said internal spout and said external spout, said control meansbeing actuated by the movement of said floating frame.

3. A bag filling machine as claimed in claim 2 in which said flexibleseal comprises a short length of flexible tubing doubled back uponitself, one end of said tubing being secured to said internal spout, andthe other end being secured to said external spout.

4. A bag filling machine as claimed in claim 3 in which said externalspout is a composite member comprising inner and outer tubular members,said inner tubular member being of a length co-extensive to saidinternal spout, and being provided with an external recessed portion toaccommodate the end of said tubing, and said outer tubular member havinga bag contacting portion which extends beyond said inner tubular member,and which confines said tubing end within said recessed portion.

5. In a bag filling machine having a hopper, a balance beam, a fulcrumtherefor, an auger for removing material from the hopper, driving meansfor said auger, and control means for rendering said drive meansinoperative, the combination of spout means including an internal spoutand an external spout assembly, said internal spout being mounted onsaid hopper and communicating therewith, and said auger extending fromsaid hopper into said internal spout, said external spout assemblycomprising an external spout disposed substantially concentrically withsaid internal spout, and a floating frame on which said external spoutis mounted, means for supporting said floating frame for movement in asubstantially vertical direction whereby said external spout can moverelatively to said internal spout, and sealing means closing off thespace between said internal spout and said external spout whereby thematerial fed by said auger cannot back up into the space between saidinternal and external spouts to impede free movement of said externalspout, said floating frame being disposed above said balance beam forengagement therewith, and said control means being actuated by downwardmovement of said floating frame.

6. A bag filling machine as claimed in claim including stop means forregulating the throw of said beam so that the movement of said externalspout with respect to said internal spout can be limited.

7. A bag filling machine as claimed in claim 5 having a supportingframework, a sleeve rotatably journaled in said framework, and a pulleyon said sleeve, said drive means including a belt cooperating with saidpulley in driving relationship, said auger being provided with a shankextending through the rear wall of said hopper and being received withinsaid sleeve, and means detachably securing said auger to said sleeve innon-rotatable relationship, whereby said auger may be removed from saidhopper through said internal spout.

8. In a bag filling machine having a hopper, a balance beam, a fulcrumtherefor, an auger for removing material from the hopper, driving meansfor said auger, and control means for rendering said drive meansinoperative, the combination of spout means including an internal spoutand an external spout assembly, said internal spout being mounted onsaid hopper and communicating therewith, and said auger extending fromsaid hopper into said internal spout, said external spout assemblycomprising an external spout disposed substantially concentrically withsaid internal spout, and a floating frame on which said external spoutis mounted, means for supporting said floating frame for movement in asubstantially vertical direction whereby said external spout can -i moverelatively to said internal spout, a flexible seal closing off the spacebetween said internal spout and said external spout, said floating framebeing disposed above said balance beam for engagement therewith, saidcontrol means being actuated by downward movement of said floatingframe, and said balance beam including supporting means, a screwrotatably journaled in said supporting means, a weight carried by saidscrew, and means for rotating said screw to shift the position of saidweight whereby the force exerted by said beam upon said floating framecan be regulated.

9. In a bag filling machine of the automatic cut-off type having a bagsupport, the combination of means responsive to the weight of a bagsuspended from said bag support, means for exerting a substantiallyconstant upward force on said weight responsive means at a pointhorizontally off-set from the center of gravity of said bag, said weightresponsive means comprising a floating assembly including said bagsupport and a substantially vertically disposed frame, said constantforce exerting means reacting against said frame, and framesupporting'means providing a reactive couple for reacting against theforce couple provided by the weight of said bag and by said constantforce exerting means on said floating assembly, said supporting meanscomprising a first fixed reaction support disposed opposite the upperfront surface of said frame, and a second fixed reaction supportdisposed opposite the lower rear surface of said frame, said reactionsupports being provided with transversely extending notches, and saidframe being pro vided with transversely extending notches oppositelydisposed from said reaction support notches, and spacer points disposedin each of said cooperating pairs of notches for taking up thehorizontal forces developed by the force couple actington said floatingassembly, said spacer points providing knife edges for substantiallyfrictionless movement of said frame in a vertical direction.

10. In a bag filling machine of the automatic cut-off type having a bagsupport and a balance beam, the combination of means for transmittingthe weight of a bag suspended from said. bag support to said balancebeam at a point horizontally off-set from the center of gravity of saidbag, said means comprising a floating assembly including said bagsupport and a substantially vertically disposed frame, said balance beamreacting against said frame, and frame supporting means providing areactive couple for reacting against the force couple provided by theweight of said bag and by said balance beam on said floating assembly,said supporting means comprising a first fixed reaction support disposedopposite the upper front surface of said frame, and a second fixedreaction support disposed opposite the lower rear surface of said frame,said reaction supports being provided with transversely extendingnotches, and said frame being provided with transversely extendingnotches oppositely disposed from said reaction support notches, andspacer points disposed in each of sad cooperating pairs of notches fortaking up the horizontal forces developed by the force couple acting onsaid floating assembly, said spacer points providing knife edges forsubstantially frictionless movement of said frame in a verticaldirection.

11. In a bag filling machine of the automatic cut-off type having afilling spout, the combination of means responsive to the weight of abag suspended from said bag support, means for exerting a substantiallyconstant upward force on said weight responsive means atta pointhorizontally off-set from the center of gravity of said bag, said weightresponsive means comprising a floating assembly including said spout anda substantially vertically disposed frame, said constant force exertingmeans reacting against said frame, and frame supporting means providingareactive couple for reacting against the force couple provided by theweight of said bag and by said constant force exerting means on saidfloating assembly, said supporting means comprising a first fixedreaction support disposed opposite the upper front surface of saidframe, and a second fixed reaction support disposed opposite the lowerrear surface of said frame, sm'd reaction supports being provided withtransversely extending notches, and said frame being provided withtransversely extending notches oppositely disposed from said reactionsupport notches, and means disposed in each of said cooperating pairs ofnotches for taking up the horizontal forces developed by the forcecouple acting on said floating assembly.

12. A bag filling machine comprising a supporting framework, a hoppercarried thereby, spout means including an internal spout and an externalspout assembly, said internal spout communicating with said hopper, ananger disposed within said internal spout and extending into saidhopper, and having a shank portion extending rearwardly through the rearwall of said hopper, a fulcrum on said supporting frame, a balance'beamcooperating with said fulcrum, said external spout assembly comprisingan external spout surrounding said internal spout in spaced relationshipand a floating frame on which said external spout is mounted, saidfloating frame including marginal portions having substantiallyvertically disposed surfaces facing frontwardly and rearwardly,supporting means for said frame providing substantially verticallydisposed supporting surfaces disposed frontwardly and rearwardly offirst mentioned surfaces, said frame surfaces and said supportingsurfaces each being provided with oppositely disposed horizontallyextending notches, spacer points disposed within said notches andmaintaining said marginal portions in a position in which they aredisposed between said supporting surfaces and spaced therefrom, andproviding knife edges for substantially frictionless vertical movementof of said frame.

13. A bag filling machine as claimed in claim 12 in which notches aresubstantially 90 degree notches, and in which said spacer points are ofdiamond shaped cross section providing knife edges of substantially 60degrees.

14. A bag filling machine comprising a supporting framework, a hoppercarried thereby, spout means including an internal spout and an externalspout assern bly, said internal spout communicating with said hopper, ananger disposed within said internal spout and extending into saidhopper, and having a shank portion extending rearwardly through the rearwall of said hopper, a fulcrum on said supporting frame, a balance beamcooperating with said fulcrum, said external spout assembly comprisingan external spout surrounding said internal spout in spaced relationshipand a floating frame on which said external spout is mounted, saidfloating frame including marginal portions, supporting means for saidframe including two pairs of rails disposed frontwardly and rearwardlyof said marginal portions, said rails and said marginal portions eachbeing provided with oppositely disposed horizontally extending notches,spacer points disposed within said notches and maintaining said marginalportions in a position in which they are disposed between said rails andspaced therefrom, and providing knife edges for substantiallyfrictionless vertical movement of said frame with respect to said rails,said frame being disposed above said balance beam, said frame and saidbalance beam being provided with horizontally extending oppositelydisposed notches, and spacer points disposed in said notches to providea substantially frictionless connection between said frame and saidbalance beam.

15. A bag filling machine comprising a supporting framework, a hoppercarried thereby, spout means ineluding an internal spout and an externalspout assembly, said internal spout communicating with said hopper, anauger disposed within said internal spout and extending into saidhopper, and having a shank portion extending rearwardly through the rearwall of said hopper, a fulcrum on said supporting frame, a balance beamcooperating with said fulcrum, said external spout assembly comprisingan external spout surrounding said internal spout in spaced relationshipand a floating frame on which said external spout is mounted, saidfloating frame including marginal portions, supporting means for saidframe including two pairs of rails disposed frontwardly and rearwardlyof said marginal portions, said rails and said marginal portions eachbeing provided with oppositely disposed horizontally extending notches,spacer points disposed within said notches and maintaining said marginalportions in a position in which they are disposed between said rails andspaced therefrom, and providing knife edges for substantiallyfrictionless vertical movement of said frame with respect to said rails,said frame being disposed above said balance beam, said frame and saidbalance beam being provided with horizontally extending oppositelydisposed notches, spacer points disposed in said notches to provide asubstantially frictionless connection between said frame and saidbalance beam, means for driving said auger, means actuated by thedownward movement of said frame for rendering said auger driving meansinoperative, and a weight for said balance beam for maintaining saidfloating frame in an up position, whereby the weight of the contents ofa bag suspended from said external spout will be transmitted by saidframe to said balance beam and cause downward movement of said externalspout assembly to actuate said control means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS643,102 Bates Feb. 13, 1900 804,833 Dickmann Nov. 21, 1905 1,856,904Campbell May 3, 1932 2,373,649 Broome Apr. 17, 1945 2,603,443 MillerJuly 15, 1952

